Agreeing to the long term demand, Parliament has decided to end the subsidy in the canteens which may save annually around `8 crore.
Briefing the media on Tuesday, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said that Lok Sabha Secretariat which was bearing the cost of subsidy has decided to stop the practice of subsidised price of food items in the canteens and the canteens will be run by ITDC in place of Northern Railway.
Talking to reporters about preparations for the next Parliament session, beginning January 29, Birla said Question Hour and Zero Hours will be in this session. Members of Parliament will be requested to undergo the COVID-19 test before the start of the Budget session.
While Rajya Sabha will sit from 9 am to 2 pm, Lok Sabha will function in the second half from 4-8 pm. The Question Hour will be allowed during the session for an already fixed time of one hour.
He said all arrangements have also been made for RTPCR COVID-19 tests of MPs near their residence. In Parliament premises, the RTPCR tests will be conducted on January 27-28, while arrangements have also been made for these tests of families and staff members of MPs. Birla said the vaccination drive policy finalised by the Centre and states will apply to parliamentarians as well.